Coming off of a near upset of Division I Utah Valley State, the Park University Gilbert women's basketball team (2-0) returned home to take on Ottawa University Arizona (3-3) in an in-state matchup which coming in was knotted at two wins apiece. The Buccaneers used a 33-point second quarter to blow open the game and take a 75-52 win over the Spirit in a non-conference game at Bell Bank Park in Mesa, Ariz.
The first quarter saw both teams struggle from the floor with the Bucs only shooting 33 percent, but their defense was stellar holding the Spirit to 11 percent and only six points in the opening frame. Five different platers scored in the first as the Bucs took a seven-point advantage into the second stanza.
When this Buccaneers team gets going offensively, they are hard to stop and the second quarter was proof positive of this as they shot 86 percent (12-14) from the floor, including a perfect 3-3 from long range. Macy Markus paced the scoring with 13 points in the period, followed by Valerie Van Dijk with seven. The seven-point advantage after one was now 23 at the half.
The third quarter saw the shooting percentage return to the troposphere at 35 percent, but the Bucs still outscore the Spirit by five an extended the lead to 28 heading into the final period. Kayla Schroeder led the Bucs in scoring in the period with six points.
With the game well in hand, head coach Jeff Fore played many of his bench players and newcomers in the final quarter giving many of his newcomers much needed experience on the floor. Jenny Todd a senior with plenty of experience led the backups with six points on two long range daggers. The other six points came on buckets from Katelyn Calderon, Allison DeBerry and Carlee Meiner.
The Buccaneers shot 46 percent for the game from the floor and 33 percent (6-18) from three. The charity stripe was not so charitable today as the Bucs were a paltry 57.9 (11-19) from the free throw line.
Individually, Markus led all scorers with 17 points and dished out a career high eight assists which also ties the school record. The Bucs had three players with eight points (Van Dijk, Jayla Reliford and Schroeder). Madison Chappell led all rebounders with 12 boards. DeBerry added five assists as well.
The Buccaneers now have a week off before returning to the floor in another exhibition game against a Division I program. Park Gilbert will travel up I-17 to take on Northern Arizona on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. in Flagstaff, Ariz.
